Thor-Able

[loojack]

I took the plunge a bought Peter Alway's book, Rockets of the World. If you don't have a copy, get one. It's well worth the price, it has many pictures and drawings. On page 222 I found the Thor-Able, which launched the ill fated Pioneer I probe, that was to go to the moon. I was looking for a project to develop and challenge my limited skills. This fit the bill, simple clean lines and fins! Using the VCP program I was able to produce a drawing and shroud patterns. I enlarged the fins to get more stability.
I reduced the plans to use the BT-60 tube and the top stage came out to be a BT-5 tube I had scrape body tubes, balsa, and some centering rings on hand, so that's what I used. I've taken some pictures. Pretty simple design, I haven't painted it yet because Wifey says the paint stinks!! Gee... It's 4 below zero outside! ....loojack

 

[loojack]

Another view

 

[loojack]

Yet another. I forgot, it's about 18" tall and powered by a single 18mm motor.

 

[MetMan]

loojack,

That's a beautiful rocket--I can't wait to see it painted and flying!

Any experiences with the paper shroud you could pass on? Any big gotchas?

MetMan

 

[loojack]

Thanks, Metman, I used 3 shrouds, a long and short on the long nose cone and another for the motor bell. Shrouds aren't hard at all. I print then on my Hp deskjet printer using 110Lb card stock from Georga-Pacific I got at Wallyworld, 150 sheets for about $6. The best way is to download Fliskits Midnight express directions. They explain how to roll tubes and nose cones. I was always scared of shrouds, because I screwed them up. Now if I screw one up, I just print another. Just practice a little they're fun! ...loojack

 

[eugenefl]

This is yet another ambitious and great looking project! Very nice work on the transitions loojack. I too fear the paper usage on kits. I need to get over it!

 

[Ryan S.]

very nice, that shroud is awesome.

 

[astronboy]

Very nice shroud work!! I have always like this rocked myself. Have you simmed it? How stable is the design?

 

[Micromeister]

Loojack:
As a Scale lover from way back....Very Very nice! Great job.
What Scale is you model based on? great job, can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[loojack]

Finished! (I guess)

 

[astronboy]

Very, very nice!! Please post launch pics when you get to that stage!

 

[gladiator1332]

Loojack....in those images it looks like you have plans on a sheet for this rocket. Is it possible for you to send them to me. I am interested in building this rocket...yours looks amazing.

I think I saw a rocket like this in the Rocket Garden at KSC back in November, I think it was a Delta-Thor, but it looks a lot like this one.

 

[sandman]

loojack,

That looks GREAT!

I always had an affection for the Thor family of rockets.

sandman